Daddy’s Home 2
Release Date: November 10, 2017
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Sean Anders (Daddy’s Home, Horrible Bosses 2, Sex Drive)
Cast:  Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow, John Cena
Plot: In the sequel to the 2015 global smash, father and stepfather, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old-school, macho Dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional Dad (John Lithgow) arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos. (Official Site)

Thoughts: The original Daddy’s Home was much funnier than I expected and I’m looking forward to seeing where they go with the sequel and it’s Holiday setting. Lithgow is always a joy to watch and is a perfect fit opposite Farrell, and as teased at the end of the original, the relationship between Wahlberg and Cena looks laugh out loud funny.

Check out these comedies…

TED
This is the year’s best comedy, hand’s down. Absolutely hilarious and a instant classic. It is amazing that this type of film hasn’t been done this well, since the premise is just ripe for adaptation. Seth MacFarlane brings his a-game as a voice actor, writer, and director. Mark Wahlberg shows again that he’s a funnier actor then most. I laughed my ass off throughout the entire film and found it hard to catch my breath at times. Here’s hoping there’s a sequel.

This is a film that’s going to go down with other films of this generation as surefire classics such as The Hangover, Anchorman, Dodgeball, Knocked Up, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, amongst others. The only gripe I’d give this film is that the directing was a little rusty at times, and you could tell this was Seth MacFarlane’s first film. Other then that though, it accomplishes what it sets out to be — a laugh a minute comedy.

[rate 4.5]

You can check out our full crop of Mini-Movie Reviews by heading over to this link. Don’t forget to post below to let us know your thoughts on Ted!

CONTRABAND
I didn’t really know what to expect when I went to see this. I wasn’t particularly impressed by the trailers and ads, but I have to say — this film surprised me in more ways then one. This is a slick, smart, dark caper the likes of which I haven’t seen in awhile. This film hits the right notes so many times it’s not surprising that Kate Beckinsale and Giovanni Ribisi would take small, supporting roles here (when they’re bonified stars, Kate moreso than Giovanni).

If you’re looking for a smart crime film with nice action set pieces thrown in for good measure — Contraband is it. A real surprise, and you likely won’t be disappointed watching this film.

[rate 3.5]

You can check out our full crop of Mini-Movie Reviews by heading over to this link. Also, don’t forget to post a comment to let us know your thoughts on Contraband!

With hit movies able to surpass the $100 million mark and video games being all the rage, is it any wonder that the two often go together?  Ever since the release of the film adaptations of such games as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, the film world has been searching for that next great franchise.  To help give you a better idea of what’s to come, we have gathered the five video games which were turned into the Top Video Game Movies of all time.

1. Resident Evil
When this horror game about killing your way out of a mansion full of zombies first debuted, no one thought it would be the highest grossing video game franchise of all time.  There are four cinematic film entries starring Milla Jovovich, which have totaled over $500 million in box office sales, and another big screen adventure in the works.  There are also various animated films of the game that are available on DVD.

2. Tomb Raider
Angelina Jolie is perhaps most recognized for her role as Laura Croft from the various Tomb Raider games.  Much like the above, the game often involves fighting your way out of haunted tombs and features a female lead character. The two feature films with Jolie as Croft grossed over $430 million in ticket sales. While they will not be completing a trilogy with Jolie, studios are itching to continue the franchise on the big screen with a new lead actress.

3. Prince of Persia
The old PC game found new life as a movie and in several other gaming platforms.  However, with top notch action producer Jerry Bruckheimer leading the way and Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role, the movie made over $312 million at the box office. This makes it the single highest grossing video game movie of all time.

4. Mortal Kombat
Although the first entry to this film franchise debuted over 15 years ago, it remains one of the top video game films of all time.  The first film made over $122 million at the box office, while the sequel Annihilation made $51 million. This puts its total at over $173 million box office dollars. In addition to the movies, the video game spawned multiple live action series, including a recent web series that starred Jeri Ryan and Michael Jai White.

5. Hitman
While some might guess that big name stars, such as The Rock in 2005’s Doom or Mark Wahlberg as Max Payne, might get the fifth spot, it didn’t happen that way.  This 2007 film starred the lesser known Timothy Olphant as Agent 47, who is an assassin for hire.  The film’s total is just under $99 million and barely beat out 1994’s Street Fighter for the fifth spot.  Hitman has had four video games in its series.

This guest article was written by Sara McDowell. She is an avid Gamer and owns and operates the gaming centric site Video Game Design Schools.

Being an avid gamer, I’m always interested in seeing game’s being adapted for films. However, with the exception of the first Mortal Kombat film, I’ve yet to see a decent game to film adaptation. From the okay (Prince Of Persia) to the downright just bad (Street Fighter: Legend Of Chun Li, Doom) I could go on but I won’t.

Now the latest one that is apparently being touted is the PS3 game Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. Having played and finished Uncharted 1 and 2, I absolutely loved both games and thought the potential to make this into a film was awesome. For those who haven’t played the game, the lead character Nathan Drake is a descendant of Sir Francis Drake. He’s a treasure hunter and the game basically plays like a modern day Indiana Jones, which is exactly how they should go about the film.

When I first heard that David O. Russell was directing, I wasn’t thrilled, but having seen what he has directed recently I’m willing to give him a chance. Then my enthusiasm was dampened even more when I heard they had cast Mark Wahlberg as Nathan Drake. Wahlberg is a fine actor and I’ve heard his work in Russell’s The Fighter is absolutely top notch, but I think Wahlberg works best in a ensemble film with a good cast around him. When he is the lead the film just seems to fail. He already has one bad video game adaptation to his name in the form of Max Payne, does he really need another? Personally and as a fan of Uncharted I hope he and Russell do this film justice. Perhaps if they surround Wahlberg with a good supporting cast it might turn out good. But with record of the video game to film adaptations not being good, I’m going to be watching this one with caution.

Right off the bat I have to post this image, the first of Chris Evans as Captain America (big thanks to Entertainment Weekly!):

I love the color and look of the uniform (for a full body shot of the CA stunt double, click here). Revealed in the article is that Evans signed a 6 picture deal with Marvel. Epic. Okay, lets move on with some other comic book movie news…

• One thing I’m not digging, is changes to the X-Men universe. It was revealed that in the upcoming First Class, Mystique will be an insecure teenage girl who is hiding the fact that she is really a mutant. Something about that just feels off, than again I thought the character was underused and mishandled in both Singer’s and Ratner’s X-Men movies, so I shouldn’t be surprised here. Pictures also reveal James McAvoy as Charles Xavier with hair. I wasn’t sold on him originally, but with hair he feels like a completely different character. Are they going to reveal the mysterious origin of  Xavier’s baldness? Come on guys…

• Staying with the Marvel Comics universe of movies, a lot of names have joined Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, the direct sequel to the 2007 lackluster Mark Steven Johnson movie.  Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze and is joined by Christopher Lambert, Ciaran Hinds, Johnny Whitworth, Violante Placido, and Thor‘s Idris Elba.  Elba recently talked about having a multiple picture deal with Marvel, but I don’t think people expected a supporting role in the new Ghost Rider, personally I was hoping for Elba being cast as Luke Cage, but a lot more people want him as Black Panther. How many comic roles will Idris Elba need to take before he gets a real character? The film is being directed by the team of Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, the guys who brought us the Crank series. That gives me a lot more hope than the first one that was directed by Mark Steven Johnson, who also directed the disappointing Daredevil flick.

• Christopher Nolan’s third Batman film has a title! The Dark Knight Rises. Yeah, seriously, it is that bad. Nolan has also denied rumors that the Riddler will be featured in the film. Earlier he said no to Mr. Freeze, so we are slowly narrowing down the villain possibilities. This might be Nolan’s last Batman film, so I’m hoping for someone good (or a good combo of villains). Maybe Hugo Strange along with a couple “monster” types; Man-Bat, Clayface, or Killer Croc? They can continue the theme of the mob and give us Black Mask. Tom Hardy, who worked with Nolan on Inception, has been cast in an undisclosed role (maybe a villain?). We have until 2012 for the film, so we might not hear anything else anytime soon.

• Darren Aronofsky will be directing X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2. (I think they can remove the “X-Men Origins” from the title, seriously guys) Aronofsky works best with a gritty realistic style, as used in The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream. His attempt at sci-fi in The Fountain fell a little flat. I want a really good Wolverine film, but I have zero faith after X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  I don’t think Fox will let a good movie happen and I don’t think Aronofsky should waste his time here.

• Right on the heels of news that Mark Wahlberg may take the leading role in a remake of The Crow comes news that director Stephen Norrington is off the project. Norrington directed the original Blade for Marvel, and while a good film it was very flawed (especially the ending). Since Blade he has only directed two films, The Last Minute, which I’ve never heard of, and the horrible adaptation of the graphic novel The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I think The Crow might be better off without him.

Are you excited about the upcoming crop of comic book movies? What will you be seeing?

A new trailer has been released for John Moore’s adaptation of the best selling video game, “Max Payne”. Mark Wahlberg is Max Payne, a former police officer turned DEA agent whose family was brutally murdered and is on the run from the police for a murder that he was framed for. Add in a conspiracy, cultists, and an assassin (played by the lovely Mila Kunis) out to avenge her sister’s death, and you have one hell of a thrill ride. I loved the game and I have high hopes for the film. Keep reading to watch the new trailer, along with links to the old teasers!

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